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Artificial Hands Area

Research activities in the areas of mechatronics and human-machine interfaces with the goal of developing advanced robotic limbs to be used as thought-controlled prostheses

The Artificial Hands Area of the BioRobotics Institute pursues research in mechatronics and human-machine interfaces with the goal of developing advanced robotic limbs to be used as thought-controlled prostheses.
Current research topics include: the (high-tech) observation of the human hand, the design of artificial sensory system; the design of artificial hands, digits, wrists and elbows, their transmission and artificial sensory system; the design of control architectures and intuitive control strategies; the use of biological signals for the physiological control of prehension; the development and clinical validation of bidirectional non-invasive (wearable) interfaces through novel assessment tools; the investigation and comparison of shared-control strategies between user and the prosthesis; the incorporation of sensory feedback strategies into one’s sensorimotor control.

The Artificial Hands Area spun out Prensilia, a company that develops and commercializes artificial hands worldwide, since 2009.
The Artificial Hands Area also includes the Human-Robot-Interaction Laboratory (HRI), coordinated by Dr. Marco Controzzi, the Textile Robotics Lab, coordinated by Dr. Leonardo Cappello, and the REPAIR Lab (Rehabilitation Engineering and Prosthetics Applied Innovation & Research). The HRI Lab develops robust artificial tactile sensors, human-robot interaction, design of mechanisms for safe and efficient interaction between robot and human. The REPAIR Lab results from a collaboration with INAIL  Prosthetic Center. The objective is to bridge the engineering research and development with the rehabilitation activities conducted by physicians and therapists in direct contact with the patients.
For more info download the leaflet, watch the Artificial Hands Area video at the bottom of this page and follow our YouTube Channel.


Principal Investigator 

Prof. Christian Cipriani
e-mail: christian.cipriani@santannapisa.it 


Recent Publications

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